TFA has been in existence now for about a quarter century.  While many nonprofits, particularly political nonprofits, have short lives, TFA has great supporters, members and volunteers for which we are thankful.  It is an appropriate time of year to share that message of appreciation, thankfulness and hope.

Over the last quarter century, TFA and its members have worked hard to try and restore the rights that are protected by the Tennessee Constitution and the 2nd Amendment.  We have tried to remove state imposed infringements.  We have pushed for constitutional carry, elimination of gun free zones, simplification of gun laws so that they can be understood, reduction of state burdens on legal carry of firearms, no-net-loss of public hunting, defeating bad gun proposals (which come every year).  In general, TFA stands for the necessity to honor the prohibition on government that arises from the phrase "shall not be infringed".   TFA continues to have the support of thousands and tens of thousands of members and supporters across the state as we pursue those as yet unattained goals.

In pursuit of these goals, TFA has in the last 10 years become more engaged in elections and even court proceedings.  It has been necessary, unfortunately.  Why necessary?  Because politicians who campaigned as being strong on the 2nd Amendment and believers in your rights frequently debate "what is is" when they get into elected office.  It is perhaps why after a decade of total Republican control of the General Assembly and office of governor, these promised goals remain goals rather than achievements.

As we look forward to the start of our 2nd quarter century as a true "grassroots" advocacy group in Tennessee and the 2020 legislative and election cycles, we still have reason to be thankful.  For example, in 2018's elections many elected officials were replaced with candidates who were willing to move forward with efforts to restore your rights that their predecessors had long since abandoned or never pursued.  We have seen bills filed in 2019 to advance these goals even though most of them were stopped in the legislature's committee systems often with either no votes or only "voice" votes yielding no record or accountability.   Yet, we have an identifiable group of legislators who have committed to the goal of repealing and reducing infringements on our fundamental rights.

TFA counts as friends and heroes several of those in the Legislature today.  Sadly, there are not enough to overcome the stunts and shenanigans that have blocked bring the bills to the floor for passage but we do have more friends than existed in 2018 and we have the chance to add even more in the 2020 election cycles.

TFA is thankful that our legislative friends are already telling us that they are filing bills in 2020 to pursue our goals of removing infringements.  We still expect the continuing opposition from some in the legislature, some in law enforcement, many in government roles and the horde of Michael Bloomberg's red shirt wearing gun control statists.  However, if we are able to convert more legislative friends and elect new ones in 2020, our mission's successes will also increase.

One legislator, Rep. Bruce Griffey, has already filed a constitutional carry bill to be heard in 2020.  We except to see other bills on issues such as reduction of gun free zones, civil immunity protections, a true recognition of the rights protected by the 2nd Amendment, legislation to perhaps establish broader standing to challenge unconstitutional laws and actions and perhaps even "concealed only constitutional carry". 

What was that last one?   Concealed only constitutional carry?  It might more accurately be called permitless concealed only carry.  It is a topic that some legislators have mentioned in the past and it is a topic being actively discussed on TFA's Facebook group.  Some think its a step in the right direction if the legislature continues to block true constitutional carry.  Others think its not "constitutional" at all and express concerns that passing it might delay the legislature's actual passage of constitutional carry.   If you have opinions on this, join the TFA Facebook group and join the discussion. 

TFA wants to thank you for your support.  TFA wants to wish you, your family, friends and our friends a safe, joyfilled Thanksgiving holiday period.  But, we also want to encourage you to be preparing your thoughts and minds to be prepared as January approaches to bring our demands with more force on the Legislature and the 2020 election cycle.